Interpretations of the image of Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland are riddled with stereotypes and racialised misperceptions and assumptions. The stubborn persistence of these negative views appears to contribute to policies of neglect, inertia or intervention that largely seeks to ‘civilise’ or further assimilate Gypsy/Travellers into the mainstream settled population.

Research indicates that within education Gypsy/Traveller children are the lowest achieving minority group in the UK.